Miami FL vs Palm Bay FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Miami +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Miami
34.2%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 125,273 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 41.3 | Miami + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 15.1% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 13.7% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 19.7% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $34,474 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 22.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Palm Bay
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Palm Bay
1453
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 36.5% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.6% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.5% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
Compare More Cities
Miami, FL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Miami, FLChicago, IL vs Miami, FLHouston, TX vs Miami, FLMiami, FL vs Phoenix, AZMiami, FL vs Philadelphia, PA